20 September 2011

Kings Avenue carpark no more?

| johnboy
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The National Capital Authority has announced the opening of their massive Kings Avenue overpass:

Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean today officially opened the Kings Avenue overpass, which replaced the Russell roundabout at the intersection of Parkes Way, Morshead Drive and Kings Avenue.

Mr Crean said the $30 million overpass represented a major investment in infrastructure.

‘The Kings Avenue overpass is a great example of the Federal Government’s commitment to reinforcing Canberra’s status as a world class city,’ Mr Crean said.

‘It is the most significant piece of urban and traffic infrastructure to be constructed in Canberra’s National Triangle since Parliament House was completed 23 years ago.

‘The project employed 250 local workers and was constructed over two years.

‘A long established local company, Woden Contractors, was awarded the contract, and the work provided a boost for the local economy, especially during tough economic times in 2009. The project ensured the local asphalt mill remained open during the economic downturn.

‘The overpass has untangled a bad traffic jam and improved travel times between the city, Parliament House and Canberra Airport – it’s a win-win for all road users.’

How are you finding it motorists?

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Redkey said :

When heading north on Kings Avenue and then turning west onto the entrance ramp to Parkes Way, has anyone else noticed how difficult it is to merge during peak late afternoon traffic? The ramp doesn’t seem to be long enough to provide adequate time or distance to allow entering traffic to match speed and merge safely. Visibility is not good and the entrance lane comes to an abrupt end rather than gradually merging. In the short time it has been open and roadwork speed limits removed, I have seen a number of near misses.

Yep – see post #15. It’s about a quarter the length that the merge lane should be. Would love to know the qualifications of the “designer” who allowed that through. I have a near miss pretty much every time I use it – either a risk of being collected on merging, or a risk of being collided from behind. I was nearly rear-ended this very afternoon. When you’re in a merge lane like that you need a lot of extra space to allow for checking back yourself at the traffic while keeping an eye on the merging car in front of you, in case they have to come to a dead stop. FAIL, Minister for Urban Services!

screaming banshee9:18 pm 26 Sep 11

Wow, I’ve never seen traffic moving well enough for cars to have to merge above about 20kph. Now that traffic is flowing so freely through the new section the line up for the Anzac ave roundabout is back past your merge.

When heading north on Kings Avenue and then turning west onto the entrance ramp to Parkes Way, has anyone else noticed how difficult it is to merge during peak late afternoon traffic? The ramp doesn’t seem to be long enough to provide adequate time or distance to allow entering traffic to match speed and merge safely. Visibility is not good and the entrance lane comes to an abrupt end rather than gradually merging. In the short time it has been open and roadwork speed limits removed, I have seen a number of near misses.

puggy said :

EvanJames said :

And, the peak hour traffic, especially in the mornings, is exacerbated by people driving their kids to school.

Quite a large pet peeve of mine. Don’t enjoy dodging 4WDs barrelling up the kerbs over the bike paths to find a park because they don’t trust their 8 year old at a supervised crossing (I’m looking at you Burgmann). I was seven and catching four buses a day, alone, while some I know drive their kids 800m to school.

I know of people who live in Gungahlin, work in the city or northside, but driver their kids to schools on the southside!! And vice versa – Tuggers, Woden, Jerra kids being driven to schools in Dickson etc. Crazy! The amount of extra morning traffic this generates is mind boggling

EvanJames said :

And, the peak hour traffic, especially in the mornings, is exacerbated by people driving their kids to school.

Quite a large pet peeve of mine. Don’t enjoy dodging 4WDs barrelling up the kerbs over the bike paths to find a park because they don’t trust their 8 year old at a supervised crossing (I’m looking at you Burgmann). I was seven and catching four buses a day, alone, while some I know drive their kids 800m to school.

yellowsnow said :

Frustrated said :

Perhaps, if we didn’t have so many blow-ins from regional NSW etc over the past two decades, Traffic in Canberra would not build up at peak hrs like it now does.

It was such a great drive to work back in the mid-late 80s, before the influx of the bogans from Country NSW etc.

It’s not just the country people. There’s been a lot of development in Canberra since the 1980s — over 50,000 extra people in the Gungahlin area alone — all of which brings traffic. Densely packed Gungahlin is one of the reasons traffic is so much worse on northside than south, but now the south will have Molonglo so chaos and peak hour misery will be more equitably distributed.

Before self-government roads actually seemed to be planned to handle traffic as it built up, so new suburbs weren’t so much of a problem. Since self-government: roads seem to be built ten years after they’re needed, construction takes three times longer than needs be, further disrupting traffic flows, and by the time new roads are finished they’re already at capacity. But, yes, out of towners contribute to the problem too. Wonder how many people commute into Canberra daily? Anyone got a number?

+1

Don’t forget the increased density of areas that have been filled with blocks of flats, like Kingston and City West. All that’s come without any changes to the infrastructure designed in the 60s for a vastly smaller city. The level of incompetence is mind-boggling.

Primal said :

What the zark is the National Triangle?

It’s like the Bermuda Triangle, but for cars.

Will be interesting to see how long it takes them to come back and really finish it. As others have pointed out 1 more layer of road surface is needed on the through lanes. I wonder why they have not done it? The cynic in me says so they can say it was finished on-time, when it isn’t finished then come back in a few weeks time and then spend a couple of days really finishing it.

The hopeful side of me is hoping they are going to finish the surface in conjunction with a full resurface from the Anzac Parade roundabout through to where they recently resurfaced part of Moreshead drive. Both sides of Kings Ave are in desperate need of a complete resurface, so it would make sense.

Frustrated said :

Perhaps, if we didn’t have so many blow-ins from regional NSW etc over the past two decades, Traffic in Canberra would not build up at peak hrs like it now does.

It was such a great drive to work back in the mid-late 80s, before the influx of the bogans from Country NSW etc.

These are all the people who can’t afford half a million dollars to buy a house in Canberra. Many of them are Canberrans, born in the city, who can’t afford to live there. I’m one of them.

and here’s the thing. If you closed off your borders, you might find that the people who do the low-paid jobs, below the pay-rate of an EL 1 (which is apparently the “average” pay rate in Canberra), would not be here any more. So who would make your food?

Fact is, many people (like me) cannot ever pull together the income to afford a half million dollar house. I can afford a house in the $300k range. That’s my upper limit. There are none-such in Canberra. I am a third generation Canberran. My grandfather came in his teens (from a nearby country town) to help build old parliament house and other older buildings, but I can’t afford to live in Canberra.

And, the peak hour traffic, especially in the mornings, is exacerbated by people driving their kids to school. Look at how it all dissipates during ACT school holidays. So what about some ire for Working Families? No, didn’t think so.

2620watcher said :

EvanJames said :

… Pialligo Ave from Qbn to Fairbairn…

Yeah if they fixed the timing of those Fairbairn lights, or built a slip lane to bypass them it would be great.

Yep. Why a car wanting to turn across the road can stop traffic right back into Qbn, hundreds of cars ,totally eludes me. A slip lane, even a rudimentary one, would alleviate the problem. As it is, my heart sinks if the blockup is back past the servo and it explodes when it’s back to the primary school! (Red Rooster).

yellowsnow said :

Primal said :

What the zark is the National Triangle?

Oops! How did that sneak into the press release?

I believe it’s the nickname Tim uses in private to refer to the Prime Ministerial hairdo (the one we can’t see).

Applause! That’s also seeing Red.

Primal said :

What the zark is the National Triangle?

Oops! How did that sneak into the press release?

I believe it’s the nickname Tim uses in private to refer to the Prime Ministerial hairdo (the one we can’t see).

Traffic “merge” when you turn left off King’s Avenue and attempt to merge with traffic heading from Fyshwick toward the city is an absolute shocker. Far too short – no time to comfortably merge. You have to pull up to a stop unless the traffic is considerate enough to move into their right lane – in fact, there’s little actual merging there any time.

What the zark is the National Triangle?

Frustrated said :

Perhaps, if we didn’t have so many blow-ins from regional NSW etc over the past two decades, Traffic in Canberra would not build up at peak hrs like it now does. It was such a great drive to work back in the mid-late 80s, before the influx of the bogans from Country NSW etc.

Yeah and wasn’t Canberra just such an exciting place in the mid-late 80s.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too … 🙂

According to the news article Canberra times website “the $30 million Kings Avenue overpass is finally complete.” ????

In my dictionary, complete is an adjective, the definition meaning: having every necessary or normal part or component or step.

The Kings Avenue overpass does not meet that definition. Both the on and off ramps at the eastern end need tons more asphalt, there is a 3 inch/7cm drop between lanes, with rough surfaces on the middle lanes.

The approach from west, where it meets the new surface, has a large “hump” which needs to be fixed, the restricted speed limit signs are still in place, etc. etc….

The following paragraph CT website 20/09/11 endeavours to explain it:

It took 250 workers and about two years to complete and was fully opened after work was completed on a ramp travelling up from Morshead Drive and allowing a right-hand turn into Russell; a final wearing cover of asphalt (although not on the deck) and the installation of signs and landscaping.

What this means in laymans language: We worked for two years in a haphazard fashion, then, suddenly realised that the completion date was the 20th of September 2011!

We then proceeded to inconvenience the Canberra commuters by increasing the pace at 07:30 on Wednesday the 14th of September, by working in the lanes set aside for the commuter to be able to drive through, having atrocious controls in place, no doubt infringing on safe work practices and generally upsetting the travelling public trying to get about their business!!!!!

Having found out who is responsible for the work, I rang the NCA and asked them why there was no notice of this! I have in my posession an apology for the hold-ups, by the (name available) National Capital Authority Director – Estate Development & Renewal.

He also said that there will be: “further delays today, tomorrow and saturday. Over the next 3 days further substantial asphalt works will be continuing at the Kings Avenue overpass. This will complete all the main road connections and lane works for the 20 September official opening. You can expect delays, particularly during the AM and PM peak traffic times. Allowing for more travel time or using alternative routes is recommended.”

“A media release was issued by NCA to this effect at 2pm today.”

Please note that he states that “This will complete all the main road connections and lane works for the 20 September official opening” Obviously, all the main road connections and lane works are NOT COMPLETED !!!!!!

I have also read the statement that: ‘The overpass has untangled a bad traffic jam and improved travel times between the city, Parliament House and Canberra Airport – it’s a win-win for all road users.’

This remains to be seen.

The cause of the traffic hold-ups was and is the Grevillea Park round-about. Commuters from the east are turning right to get to Russell. This blocks traffic going east. Now we have two lanes arriving at this round-about and being held up. The only saving grace is that we still have the 40km speed limit in place!

I would not have minded if the asphalt work had proceeded through the weekend and was finished this week, provided, that we were advised and could make other arrangements.

But, no, we now have to suffer for another two months at least, before there is any light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak!

What concerns me more than anything else that I seem to be the only idiot questioning these practices in Canberra! I have spoken with a number of commuters inconvenienced, and no-one wants to speak up!

Come on Canberra!!! Haven’t we had enough with the GDE redevelopment????

JoeW

‘The Kings Avenue overpass is a great example of the Federal Government’s commitment to reinforcing Canberra’s status as a world class city,’

Apparently being a world class city doesn’t mean too much these days.

Frustrated said :

Perhaps, if we didn’t have so many blow-ins from regional NSW etc over the past two decades, Traffic in Canberra would not build up at peak hrs like it now does.

It was such a great drive to work back in the mid-late 80s, before the influx of the bogans from Country NSW etc.

It’s not just the country people. There’s been a lot of development in Canberra since the 1980s — over 50,000 extra people in the Gungahlin area alone — all of which brings traffic. Densely packed Gungahlin is one of the reasons traffic is so much worse on northside than south, but now the south will have Molonglo so chaos and peak hour misery will be more equitably distributed.

Before self-government roads actually seemed to be planned to handle traffic as it built up, so new suburbs weren’t so much of a problem. Since self-government: roads seem to be built ten years after they’re needed, construction takes three times longer than needs be, further disrupting traffic flows, and by the time new roads are finished they’re already at capacity. But, yes, out of towners contribute to the problem too. Wonder how many people commute into Canberra daily? Anyone got a number?

EvanJames said :

… Pialligo Ave from Qbn to Fairbairn…

Yeah if they fixed the timing of those Fairbairn lights, or built a slip lane to bypass them it would be great.

Perhaps, if we didn’t have so many blow-ins from regional NSW etc over the past two decades, Traffic in Canberra would not build up at peak hrs like it now does. It was such a great drive to work back in the mid-late 80s, before the influx of the bogans from Country NSW etc.

yellowsnow said :

Main reason the overpass got finished relatively quickly is that the ACT government wasn’t responsible for delivering it

Yeah, like the Bowen Drive underpass/overpass. NCA warp speed action.

yellowsnow said :

Main reason the overpass got finished relatively quickly is that the ACT government wasn’t responsible for delivering it

Or because:

> …improved travel times between Parliament House and the airport.

yellowsnow said :

‘Kings Ave car park no more’ – thank god for all our other peak hour car parks: GDE, Northbourne, Parkes Way, Cotter Rd, Hindmarsh, Canberra Ave, William Slim/Gundaroo Drive … unfortunately the list goes on

… Pialligo Ave from Qbn to Fairbairn…

Main reason the overpass got finished relatively quickly is that the ACT government wasn’t responsible for delivering it

‘Kings Ave car park no more’ – thank god for all our other peak hour car parks: GDE, Northbourne, Parkes Way, Cotter Rd, Hindmarsh, Canberra Ave, William Slim/Gundaroo Drive … unfortunately the list goes on

Holden Caulfield2:21 pm 20 Sep 11

I used the citybound lanes yesterday and yep, the road surface is pretty shizen. Aside from that it seemed quite good and traffic was flowing much more smoothly than it has in recent weeks.

There was also a 40km/h sign at the start, just after the roundabout to the hospice, but no signage to say the roadworks zone had ended.

even though on Sunday when i used it, the bitumen joins between the “under” lanes and entry/exit lanes is as rough as guts with more than 5cm drops in places, luckily mostly in non-drive areas.

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